THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK

(1600-1601)

Time late medieval period

Setting

Place Castle of Elsinore, Denmark

History of the Danes

( by Saxo Grammaticus)
Sources
Seneca's tragedies

Hamlet
The Ghost
Gertrude
Claudius
Characters Polonius
Laertes
Ophelia
Horatio
Rosencrantz and Guildernstern
Fortinbras

frame Story of Frontinbras

Structure
five acts
Development

Act 1. Exposition The ghost appears and asks for revenge

Act 2. Rising Action Hamlet tries to find out whether the ghost
has told him the truth
Act 3. Climax Hamlet has proof of Claudius's guilt
Act 4. Falling action Claudius takes charge of events
Act 5 Catastrophe Bloody ending

Murdered father
Ghostly apparition
Revenge tragedy Mad scene
Bloody ending

Justice and revenge

Destiny and purpose of life
Themes Corruption
Madness and sanity
Appearance and reality